Defining the Peer Advisor in the U.S. Study Abroad Context

Abstract

Peer advisor (PA) programs in study abroad offices have greatly increased in the past few years. Nevertheless, although many agree that PAs have many useful advantages, a clear definition of the PA within the study abroad context remains unavailable. Hence, the purpose of this pilot study is to find out how the PA is perceived by study abroad offices across the United States and what implications those perceptions hold. To address these two questions, this article specifically sought to find out PAs’ roles and responsibilities, what qualifications are required, and what type of training the PAs need to undergo as perceived and determined by study abroad office advisors. The article concludes with a preliminary definition of the study abroad PA and its implications.